Underwhelmed

     Unimpressed, disappointed, bored, being underwhelmed can have two causes.  (1) People or events may fail to impress as intended or (2) your expectations are too high or unrealistic.
     Let's face it, some people or events can be boring even to the majority of  us.  Misleading advertising or hype may be involved.  Old routines may have outlasted their usefulness.  In other circumstances,  we may expect too much out of certain people or events, more than they can realistically deliver.  We may be too quick to judge instead of trying to understand.  We may feel disappointed when behavior is not according to our value system or when outside sources don't cater to our wishes or give us satisfaction.
     The world does not conform to our wishes.  We need to adapt, change our attitude, or improve our lives.  Everyone has to withstand some times that are mundane and boring, but we can also use our imagination and expand our mind to appreciate the ordinary and unexciting.  We can also try new things and meet new people.
      Underwhelmed is a relatively new term, coined a few years ago, but we all know what it means.  Hopefully, we only feel this way from time to time.  When we begin to be bored or disappointed with a big portion of our lives, we need to do something, to appreciate the way things are or make changes.    

Overwhelmed

     Too much, too soon, too unpleasant, being overwhelmed happens to everyone now and then.  If you are breathing, you are surviving.  If you are getting nourishment, rest, and sleep, you will make it through.
     Change your perspective of time: think about today, tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year.  This too shall pass.  Change your perspective of location: have a change of scene, take a walk, breathe in some fresh air and observe nature and everything around you.  Do something you enjoy; have some fun.
     Make a plan, get organized, take one step at a time, one day at a time.  Erase the unimportant from your to-do list.  Do only what is absolutely necessary.  Share your stress, tell somebody, ask for and accept help.
     Reduce negativity.  Be grateful and accentuate the positive.  Write down your thoughts, worries, and plans.  Build up your strength and have confidence that you can do whatever it takes to overcome your problems and get past feeling overwhelmed.

Prayer

     Imagine being in an audience where a prayer of another religion or an atheistic practice was part of a public gathering.  In the US, Christian prayers are often included without forethought or consideration of the total audience but just as part of the tradition of the "majority."  Where and why is prayer appropriate?
Where - at home, in houses of worship, in parochial schools, and in an individual mind
Where not - in public groups and gatherings, in public school classes, assemblies, and sporting events
Why - asking a higher power for something or giving thanks
Why not - giving an impression that a public group is honoring a religion or promoting a diety
     Even though we live in a democracy, majority does not rule in religious issues.  We are free to practice religion or not but should realize our own belief should not be shown preference.  We have many opportunities to pray.  No one objects to a private, silent prayer.  We just can't expect to voice that prayer in front of a public audience.
     

Proactive

     Be aware of the choices you can make as you anticipate your future.  Take responsibility, prepare, initiate, take control when possible, and change when necessary.  Take matters into your own hands instead of waiting for someone or something else to make things happen.  Be courageous and persevere.  Be proactive.
     Of course, we can't and perhaps shouldn't have our own way all the time, but we should consider our own needs as well as the needs of others and be our own advocate.  We should support ourselves and whatever is important to us.
     Beware when you begin to think that some master plan, predestination, or fate is in control.  Thinking that whatever is supposed to happen will happen does not make it true.  Also beware when you believe you have the right to control others.  You do have the right to voice your own opinions and to influence and persuade others.  You also have the right to disagree and say no.
     Not being proactive can cause passivity and dependence.  Certain circumstances beyond our control may require us to depend on others, and other situations may require others to be dependent upon us.  No matter what, we need to honor every person's right including our own to be proactive.   

Culture

     In the laboratory, cells can grow and develop with the correct mixture of chemicals, nutrients, and temperature.  In the community, people grow and develop with the correct parenting, moral values, and opportunity.  Genetics are a big part of how humans behave, but the culture surrounding them teaches both good and bad behavior patterns.  As we grow up, we can evaluate and choose to alter these patterns.
     Many people say if only both parents would be responsible, if only schools would prepare students for college and the work world, if only people would develop good values and uphold the law, if only society would provide employment opportunities, if only our culture could create the right mixture, then the behavior of our children and young adults would improve.
     We need to change the culture that allows nearly half of all children to be born out of wedlock.  These babies are at a disadvantage at their first breath.  Sex education and access to birth control is a must to prevent babies being born to "babies."  Self respect should be instilled in boys and girls to focus on developing their talents and to be responsible citizens who work and pay their way.
     Students should not be allowed to drop out of high school until they are 18 years old.  Next should come two choices: continue education at college or technical school or become gainfully employed. If  none of these choices is made within a short period of time perhaps 6 months, both male and female teens should be drafted into the military to develop discipline, get focused, and prepare for productive citizenship.
    As we grow up, we need to evaluate our own culture and understand other cultures.  Every culture can be improved.  Our responsibility is to become productive citizens and provide our children with the best mixture to grow and develop. 

Do Not Disturb

     So you want to put the Do Not Disturb sign on the doorknob, close the door, and enjoy privacy, peace, and quiet - be in your own world without interruption.  If the sign is ignored, upset and anger can follow.
     Sometimes a person's attitude can project the same message that you do not welcome interruptions or challenges to your own opinions and beliefs.  Comfort comes only with hearing and reading compatible opinions.  Other people may hesitate to even bring up subjects that contradict your way of thinking to avoid unpleasant communication.
     Putting a Do Not Disturb sign on your own thinking closes the door to questioning your preconceived ideas.  You may prefer living in the comfort of your own ideas without distractions.  Overconfidence in believing you are right and others are wrong may inhibit your journey towards wisdom.
     At times, we need to shut off our minds temporarily to get comfort and peace.  An escape from the outside world, a good rest, and sleep is necessary for our physical and mental health.  Once this is accomplished, we need to open the door, open our minds, and realize that being disturbed may be one way to improve our thinking.   

The Human Element

     Everything we read and hear contains a human element; likewise, everything we write and say.  The human element can contain mistakes, exaggerations, delusions, and wishful thinking.  It can be untrustworthy, misleading, and self-serving.  On the other hand, the human element can contain truth, creativity, and wisdom.
     Every written word comes from a human being, although some people are open to the possibility of spiritual inspiration.  Most religions are based on the belief that God has spoken and man has repeated the words and written them down, creating sacred texts.  We need to think about what comes from man and what may be authored by a higher power.
     When we read, we need to consider the authors and how the messages have been altered over time.  Some of what we read is myth, fable, and legend.  These creations gave an explanation of the universe  when societies lacked the sophisticated knowledge provided by modern science.  Even today, people continue to believe many religious myths.
     While some myths are ancient, others are being crafted today by politicians and advertisers.  These misleading and self-serving myths distort our thinking.  We may buy the ideas or products based on exaggerated or false information.  Be careful because what you read and hear may not be true.    
     When we write, we need to distinguish between fact and opinion.  Some of what we write is fact that we can back up with evidence.  Some of what we write may be our opinions, and we can include our reasoning that forms them.  Hopefully, our human element will contain wisdom.